#15 Read a YA nonfiction book.

Here’s a fun fact about me. I absolutely adore Russian history. I have always found it fascinating. Most likely due to my obsession with the animated Anastasia movie.

I visited Russia one summer in college. While there, I went to a museum dedicated to the siege of Leningrad. If I learned about it in school, it was barely mentioned. It shocked me.

If you are not familiar with the siege of Leningrad, here’s a brief explanation.

St. Petersburg, known as Leningrad during World War II, was besieged by the Germans. Russia had officially maintained neutrality during the conflict due to issues on the home front but had helped Germany. Hitler made the decision to invade Russia, known as the Soviet Union during that time. This caused Russia to officially ally with the good guys (aka the Allied Powers).

German soldiers surrounded the city. The goal was the take over the city, but it had a very defensible position. The decision was made to starve the inhabitants of Leningrad and ultimately force them to surrender.

This incredible city was under siege from September of 1941 until January of 1944 when Soviet soldiers broke the blockade and drove out the Germans. An estimated 800,000 people died. To put that number into perspective, that is approximately the total amount of people from the United States and the United Kingdom that died throughout the entirety of WWII.

This book follows Dmitri Shostakovich, the composer of the Leningrad Symphony, also known as Symphony No. 7. This symphony was broadcast throughout Leningrad, and they even used loud speakers to ensure the Germans heard it as well. It has become a symbol of resistance to fascism and totalitarianism as well as speaking to the strength of will and human spirit of the people of Leningrad.

If you have never heard this moving piece of music, a version is linked below.

This book is incredibly well done. Unlike many adult nonfiction that require a dictionary to be on hand, this young adult nonfiction book is easy to read and understand. Despite being designed for a younger audience, the author never shies away from the subject matter.

It is an engaging and inspiring story that you should definitely read.